town hall of Villars-Colmars

The town hall of Villars-Colmars serves as the administrative seat of the small commune of Villars-Colmars, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The village sits in the mountain valley of Haut Verdon, at the gateway to the Val d'Allos, right on the edge of Mercantour National Park — one of the wildest corners of the French Alps. For anyone trying to understand how this tiny community of roughly 250 residents is run, the town hall is the natural starting point.

Where does the name Villars-Colmars come from?

The commune's history carries an unusual twist for rural France. The settlement, formerly known as Villard, spent centuries as a dependent hamlet of neighboring Colmars. It wasn't until 1791, during the upheaval of the French Revolution, that the residents of Villard petitioned the Department Directory to be recognized as an independent municipality. Their request succeeded, and the newly formed commune appended "Colmars" to its name, producing the modern Villars-Colmars. Modest as it may seem on a national scale, this act of administrative independence remains a point of local pride and is still referenced by residents as proof of the community's self-reliance.

What is local governance like today?

Villars-Colmars remains a small, close-knit mountain village. Laurent Roux has served as mayor since July 2020, following that year's municipal elections. The town hall handles residents' administrative affairs and, importantly for visitors, is often the best place to find local information about hiking routes and attractions throughout the Haut Verdon valley.

Why is Villars-Colmars worth a stop?

The commune's location makes it a convenient base for mountain travelers. The Haut Verdon valley and its proximity to Val d'Allos offer hiking and cycling trails across a range of difficulty levels, while the neighboring Mercantour National Park draws visitors seeking encounters with alpine wildlife — from chamois to rare birds of prey. In winter, the surrounding area feeds into the Val d'Allos ski resorts, giving Villars-Colmars year-round appeal rather than a purely summer draw.

Thanks to its small population, the village has kept an authentic, rural character, well removed from the mass tourism found in larger alpine resort towns. It suits travelers who value quiet, genuine contact with a local community, and unspoiled mountain scenery over built-up tourist infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which region of France is Villars-Colmars in? The commune lies in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, within the mountain valley of Haut Verdon.

Where does the village's name come from? The settlement was originally called Villard and formed part of the commune of Colmars. It gained administrative independence in 1791 and adopted its current name, Villars-Colmars.

Who currently runs the commune? Laurent Roux has been mayor since July 2020, elected following that year's municipal elections.

What draws visitors to the area? Proximity to Mercantour National Park and the Val d'Allos valley makes the region popular with hikers and nature lovers, and with skiers heading to nearby resorts in winter.